# Chapter 91
The Association Chairman sighed long and shallow, relieved that the response wasn’t the worst-case scenario.
“But there is something that still bothers me.”
‘Damn it, just finish what you want to say at once…!’
The Association Chairman internally screamed as he watched Hajin, who was expertly utilizing the saying that Korean should be heard until the end.
His skill at keeping people in suspense was truly remarkable. Had he not been the target, the Chairman might have even invited Hajin to learn under him.
Whether Hajin knew what was going through the Chairman’s mind or not, he continued unhurriedly.
“I couldn’t help but feel I was too powerless when I was taken. At the very least, I wish I could have looked into the circumstances that required Alpha Team to be summoned all at once. At the time, even though I found the situation strange, I couldn’t do anything. But how could I, as a mere Guide regardless of my rank, access such information?”
“That’s…”
The Association Chairman’s expression soured. What Hajin said made sense, but what he wanted was, in part, ‘power.’
The power to weigh things and question orders rather than simply following commands.
Had circumstances been different, he would have flatly refused such a request, but he had already promised to grant whatever Hajin wanted.
The Chairman felt duplicitous. Despite saying he would do anything, he couldn’t accept someone trying to take even a portion of his authority.
Humans are creatures who don’t want to give up even a single grain of sand from their grasp, aren’t they?
“Hmm, but that’s a bit…”
The Chairman rationalized that it wasn’t just for personal reasons; he couldn’t predict how Hajin might use even a small amount of power.
However, if Hajin had been planning to back down, he wouldn’t have brought it up in the first place. Hajin felt he had given the Chairman enough opportunity.
To reiterate, Hajin was in the position of power here. Even if the Association Chairman refused, there was no need to cajole him.
“If that’s difficult, then I’ll leave.”
“What, w-what did you say?!”
Hajin made his move. He didn’t actually plan to leave—the information he needed to uncover was here. But since the Chairman was willing to lose the big picture over small gains, he had to deliver this shock.
The Chairman jumped to his feet as Hajin rose from his seat without giving him time to process what he’d heard. He couldn’t let him go.
At that moment, the Chairman’s mind was filled with only one thought: Hajin must not be allowed to leave.
“W-wait! Where do you think you’re going?!”
The Chairman reached out to hold Hajin back, but was blocked by Baek Jaan who sharply intervened.
The Chairman glared fiercely at the person who dared to block him, but instead found himself retreating at the chilling gaze that looked ready to hold a knife to his throat.
‘So it’s finally happened…!’
This was the situation the Chairman had been so wary of.
A situation where an Esper turns hostile toward him because they’re enthralled by a Guide. Since Guides could potentially cause actual death, not just the pretense of it, he had tried to keep a tight rein on them.
‘But these damned fools have ruined my plans!’
The Chairman tried to stop Hajin with his voice as Hajin was preparing to leave without a shred of hesitation, protected by the Espers.
“Where on earth do you think you’re going?! Don’t you know that if you leave like this, you’ll be nothing but a fugitive?!”
Hajin could only marvel at the Chairman. Even at this moment, his consistent attitude of trying to threaten was truly remarkable. He almost admired how someone could be Association Chairman with such an approach.
But the words from Hajin’s mouth weren’t admiration but a dagger aimed at the Chairman.
“I don’t understand why you think I’d stay in this country. With my abilities, any country would welcome me with open arms.”
The Chairman’s eyes widened as he swallowed hard. It was incomprehensible how he could have forgotten something so obvious, just as Hajin said.
When Hajin was first announced as an S-rank Guide, how many countries had requested meetings with him?
They had rejected all of them using Hajin’s adaptation as an excuse, since their intent to lure him away was so transparent.
But if Hajin went to them willingly, would any country actually refuse?
‘And to top it off, four S-rank Espers, the strongest in Korea, would follow him like a trail of goldfish poop—only a fool would refuse that…!’
The Chairman finally realized that the balance of power between him and Hajin had shifted in Hajin’s favor long ago. Stupidly, he had still thought he was in the superior position.
‘No, this can’t happen… If I let him go, the Association will truly collapse.’
Without hesitation, the Chairman fell to his knees. He hit the floor so hard that it sounded as if his knees were breaking against the marble.
Fortunately, Hajin turned his head at the sound. Taking advantage of Hajin’s momentary pause upon seeing the kneeling Chairman, the Chairman bowed his head deeply and begged.
“I was wrong! I was wrong! I’ve grown senile, unable to let go of what I’ve been holding…! I’ll do whatever you want, just please don’t abandon the Association. Please!”
“No…”
Hajin had intended to put some pressure on him, but he hadn’t expected to see him on his knees with his head bowed. He was taken aback.
Surprised, he glanced at Alpha Team standing beside him, but remarkably, they showed no reaction.
‘Am I the only one surprised…?’
Ironically, thanks to Alpha Team’s reaction, Hajin was able to regain his composure quickly. On second thought, it wasn’t that unusual.
Hadn’t he seen politicians kneeling and begging for forgiveness during election season on TV?
‘Right. I don’t need to soften my stance.’
Hajin pulled himself together from his shock and surprise. After letting out a small internal sigh, relaxing his tense shoulders, and composing his expression, Hajin spoke.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t find that very convincing.”
It was a remarkably cool response for someone who had been startled. The Chairman raised his head with a despairing expression, as if Hajin’s heart had already left.
But Hajin met the Chairman’s eyes with his characteristically impassive face.
“When I first came here, you guaranteed my safety, but not long after, I was kidnapped. And when I first returned, you said you would grant me anything as compensation, but you didn’t keep that promise either.”
Hajin’s words stopped there, but the Chairman didn’t need to hear the rest to understand what Hajin had left unsaid.
The implication was that he could no longer trust him or the Association.
At this moment, the Chairman felt that if he couldn’t change Hajin’s mind, it would be over. But he couldn’t let go of his faint hope.
‘There’s still, still hope.’
If Hajin had truly intended to defect to the United States or China, he would have left already. Why would he stop and explain in such detail?
‘If I give him what he wants…’
The Chairman swallowed hard. This was truly the last chance.
If he failed to please Hajin now, Hajin would leave without looking back.
“…I will designate Guide Lee Hajin as Mugunghwa Grade 2.”
‘What’s that?’
Not knowing what Mugunghwa Grade 2 meant, Hajin tilted his head. However, he seemed to be the only one who didn’t understand, as Alpha Team appeared quite surprised.
‘Judging by their reaction, it doesn’t seem to be a bad offer.’
The Chairman finally seemed to realize it wasn’t time to hold back. Meanwhile, the Chairman continued.
“With Mugunghwa Grade 2, you’ll have power second only to the Association Chairman. Of course, if Guide Lee Hajin wishes, I would even give up the position of Chairman.”
“That’s fine. It’s not like just anyone can be the Association Chairman.”
For Hajin, Mugunghwa Grade 2, with power second only to the Chairman, was enough. In some ways, it could be considered more than enough, but that was the Chairman’s own doing, not Hajin’s concern.
The Chairman asked with a hopeful expression.
“So, you’ll stay with the Association?”
“I’ll give you three chances.”
It meant this was his last chance. Despite the bold warning that might have normally provoked a scowl, the Chairman, now aware that Hajin could leave at any time, simply bowed his head saying thank you.
The sight of an elderly man with graying hair bowing with tears in his eyes would tug at anyone’s conscience, even if that person was the Association Chairman. Hajin tried not to show it as he left.
“Then I’ll be going now.”
“Y-yes. If you need anything from now on, you can call anyone at any time.”
Hajin stepped out of the Association building with Alpha Team. As soon as the building was far behind them, Han Seungho spoke up.
“Wow, Mugunghwa Grade 2. The old geezer must have really been scared.”
“Is it that impressive?”
Hajin asked blankly. Even if it was power second only to the Chairman’s, how much could Hajin, who had lived as an ordinary citizen, really appreciate it?
“If you went to the research wing right now and demanded confidential research materials, they’d have to hand them over without a word.”
Only then did Hajin fully grasp the magnitude of the power, his eyes widening in surprise. If he could access confidential research to this extent, finding information about his father shouldn’t be too difficult.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
